Councillors cause storm over albino killers

A full council meeting in Chikhwawa was almost derailed on Friday after a ward councillor suggested all abductors and killers of people with albinism should themselves be killed instead of facing justice in courts.

DC Mandere: Mob justice not acceptable

Nyakamba ward councillor Victor Bondo said this after residents in Ngabu rescued two children who were abducted by some people and were being taken out of the rural town.

Bondo said the abductors and killers of people with albinism are continuing the vice because of lenient sentences they get from the courts of law including temporary freedom of bail after they have killed somebody.

“These killers need no mercy, they need to be killed on the spot once caught,” said Bondo.

However District Commissioner Bester Mandele censured the ward councillor and cautioned him against advocating for mob justice.

“Mob justice is not allowed in Malawi. All suspects should be apprehended, be brought to police who will in turn prosecute them in a court of law,” Mandele said.

Some ward councillors, traditional leaders and police officers present at the meeting agreed with Mandele. The meeting then resolved to make head count of people with albinism in order to establish their exact number for proper protection.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Chikhwawa Diocese Peter Musikuwa has joined the voices that are condemning the killiing of people with albinism.

He spoke strongly against the killings and said God is set to punish all those involved.